Also on today’s menu at the News Café:
Nation Mourns Dolly Parton After Death on Tuesday
Trump’s Bet Paid Off in South Carolina Primary
Nestor Roman II, 30, of Dalton will be arraigned today in Lancaster District Court on felony charges that include three counts of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, burglary, and two counts of theft by unauthorized taking, as well as misdemeanor charges of obstructing government administration, four counts of wrongful conduct after an accident, resisting arrest and detention, driving after suspension-subsequent offense, and two counts of driving over a fire hose.
For reasons that are unclear, Roman stole a Whitefield Fire & Rescue vehicle that was responding to a house fire at his home around 3:50 a.m. on August 25. As he drove away, Roman struck another Whitefield fire engine, drove over water supply lines, and narrowly missed striking three firefighters. His flight also damaged wooden fences at two properties.
State troopers later received a report that the stolen rescue vehicle had crashed on a Dalton homeowner’s property and that Roman was attempting to take items from the porch of the home. When troopers arrived and tried to apprehend Roman, he was uncooperative, but ultimately was taken into custody.
Discussion: Roman was held at the Coös County jail pending his arraignment. The cause of the fire that destroyed the house remains under investigation.
Nation Mourns Dolly Parton After Death on Tuesday
Between now and September 1, flags on public buildings and grounds in the State of New Hampshire will fly at half-staff in honor of Dolly Parton, who died of cancer at age 80 on August 25. Governor Kelly Ayotte issued the order in accordance with a directive from President Donald Trump.
Trump ordered American flags across the country to be lowered for one week to honor her legacy as a songwriter, musician, actor, and philanthropist — one of the longest periods ever granted to a private citizen. She was a beloved public figure across the political spectrum.
The president’s post said, “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away,” a “true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will. … Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
Discussion: Dolly grew up as one of 12 children raised in a one-room cabin in the mountains of East Tennessee. Her father was an illiterate tenant farmer and construction worker, and the family had very little money. As she gained fame and fortune, she incorporated that background into songs like “Coat of Many Colors” and she launched “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library” to provide books to children each month to promote literacy — something Dolly said her father told her might be the most important thing she had ever done.
Trump’s Bet Paid Off in South Carolina Primary
President Donald Trump gambled on a chance to prove he still can sway elections by directly campaigning on behalf of South Carolina Senator Darline Graham in her bid to defeat Representative Ralph Norman in the Republican senate primary runoff election despite her lack of political experience. She had been appointed to serve until November’s election after her brother, Lindsey, unexpectedly died on July 11.
She now faces the Democratic nominee, Annie Andrews, a pediatrician.
In campaigning against an experienced politician, Graham said, “The critics say I shouldn’t run for the senate. They say I’m not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged. By the way, President Trump has never served in elected office before and I think he’s done a damn good job.”
Discussion: Following a series of embarrassing endorsement defeats in Republican primaries across the country, Trump risked losing his political influence entirely by personally recruiting and endorsing Graham before she had ever sought elective office. He held a tele-rally on the eve of the election, and his super PAC, MAGA Inc., donated roughly $827,000 during the closing days of the race to see that she won. Had she been defeated, it would have proven that Republicans have broken free of his stranglehold over the party. Despite the odds, he pulled it off and proved he still rules, regardless of the qualifications of those he endorses.